The last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912 was a time of change in China, beginning with the invasion by Manchurian forces that ended the Ming dynasty and established the Shunzhi Emperor. The expansion of exportation and trade that had bolstered the arts during the Ming era continued, as Qing dynasty furniture involved the same attention to craftsmanship with expert construction techniques in hardwood pieces that were assembled with mortise and tenon joints rather than nails or glue. Together, these eras comprise a golden age of Chinese furniture design.
Ming-style furniture is simple and elegant with clean lines. Chairs of the period and other Ming furniture made an impression on Scandinavian modernist Hans Wegner and his streamlined seating, for example. Whereas Qing-style furniture is elaborate, with an increasing influence from the West leading to lavish carving inspired by the European Baroque and Rococo styles. And while many of the forms that define examples of the latter are common within classical Chinese furniture, such as curving and folding chairs as well as large screens, Qing designs are laden with ornamentation. Frequently, the carved motifs and inlaid designs in mother-of-pearl were auspicious, such as peonies for wealth or dragons for luck. Bats were symbols of happiness in the design of Qing furniture, with one of the characters in the word for bat, bianfu, being a homophone for fu, or “fortune.”
While several types of wood were used in the construction of Qing beds, tables, storage pieces and seating, today’s collectors know that the most prized were the rare rosewoods zitan and huanghuali. They were both sourced from Hainan, China’s largest island, and are marked by a rich luster that occurs naturally, without the application of lacquer or other decorative materials. Many of the most popular woods were imported from southeast Asia, adding to their value. Red sandalwood was also sought after for its durability and connection with Chinese medicine, with some chairs being made for health benefits.
Find a collection of antique Qing tea tables, stools, benches, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Chinese 19Th Century Earthenware Martaban Storage Jar
Located in Kastrup, DK
A fine and large Chinese brown ochre glazed stoneware storage jar, commonly known as a Martaban or Martavan jar. Shoulders decorated with pearls and five lion heads molded in relief...
Stoneware
$2,583Sale Price|30% Off
Kangxi Blue & White Chinese Porcelain Jar w/ One Hundred Treasures Motif, c 1750
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very lovely Kangxi Chinese porcelain ginger jar with hand-painted, blue overglaze decoration with "one hundred treasures" motif. Jar has original p...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Shiwan Pottery Teapot, Qing Style, Late 19th Century
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Chinese Green Blue glazed Shiwan pottery teapot dates to China’s Kuang Hsu Dynasty and is of the late 19th century. The vibrant teal-green glaze pot...
Ceramic
19th Century Rustic Glazed Jug, Earthenware from Dordogne, France
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty petite glazed jug originating from the Dordogne region of south-west France and dating from the 19th century. Originally conceived for the storage and preservation of n...
Earthenware, Terracotta
$293Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
Contemporary Organic Modern Moroccan Handmade Terracotta Ceramic Jar
Located in Marseille, FR
- Handbuilt brown jar - Made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - Made in the Moroccan Rif mountains by the potter Aïcha. Approximate mea...
Clay, Earthenware
$354Sale Price|45% Off
H 10.44 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
19th Century French Green Glazed Earthenware Jug or Water Cruche
Located in Buisson, FR
Great authentic and rare piece of pottery from the Provence. Beautiful weathered and an amazing color. Imperfections help authenticate this water cruche as it was a utilitarian type...
Earthenware
Late 19th Century Primitive Spanish Clay Pot
Located in Wainscott, NY
Late 19th Century Primitive Spanish Clay Pot. Found in Spain. This Substantial and beautiful pot has two handles and a blacked finish. Dimensions: 1...
Clay
Pair of Spanish Water Jars or Vessels in Unglazed Terracotta
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handmade terracotta two-handled water jars / pitchers, Spain, 1880s-1930s. Two Traditional Spanish terracotta pitchers. Unglazed exterior and interio...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
$2,450
H 23 in Dm 18 in
Antique Chinese Martaban Stoneware Storage Jar or Pots used During Ming Dynasty
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Martaban jars are basic stoneware storage containers or pots used during the Ming dynasty. Thai, Chinese, Burmese, and Cambodian goods were shipped throughout southeast Asia in these...
Stoneware
Spanish Terracotta Olive Jar or Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Andalusian Olive Oil Handled Jar in Terracotta _______________________________________________________________________ Hand-made terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
$85 / set
H 2.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Japanese Handmade Ceramic Pottery Textured Chawan Yunomi Tea Ceremony Cup Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
Wonderfully made and designed Japanese Chawan or Yunomi tea cup. Great texture and color. Likely Mid-20th Century Showa period but could be older. Fine craftsmanship. Very attracti...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$307Sale Price|60% Off
H 15.75 in W 14.18 in D 12.6 in
French, Terracotta Jar Brown Glaze, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French terracotta jar. Traditional large earthenware pottery jar from South West France with brown glaze. This vessel was used from the 19th to the mid-20th century to conserve food....
Terracotta
$129Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 9 in W 5.9 in D 8.7 in
Contemporary Organic Modern Moroccan Handmade Terracotta Ceramic Jar
Located in Marseille, FR
- Handbuilt freckles terracotta jar - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - made in the Moroccan Rif mountains by the potter Raja. Approximate measurements: 8...
Clay, Earthenware
$2,873Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in D 12.21 in
Spanish Large Terracotta Water Jar / Pitcher / Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Andalusian Hand-made terracotta two-handled water jar, Spain, 1880s-1930s. Traditional spanish terracotta jar / pitcher. Unglazed exterior and interior with handles at both sides. Us...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Terracotta
$252Sale Price|28% Off
H 5 in Dm 3.5 in
Pottery from Rabat, Morocco, Black and Cream Colors, Contemporary Ceramic Jar
Located in New York, NY
Pottery from Morocco. Inspired by Swedish midcentury pottery like Stig Lindberg. Designed and made by a local artist in Rabat.
Ceramic
Chinese Yixing Terracotta Teapot, circa 1900 China Qing Period
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Charming little teapot from China in terracotta and nicely worked in a very simple and refined way around 1900. Dynasty Qing period. Original color. The Terracotta Teapots of Yixi...
Terracotta
Chinese Yixing Teapot with Painted Enamel Designs Signed
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Chinese Yixing teapot decorated in the famille verte palette with a lion dog and precious object dating from the 18th...
Clay
Antique Chinese Porcelain Blue & White Lidded Pot, 18th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain lidded pot and is well decorated in underglaze blue with hand painted blooms on tall leafy stems set within panels around the body and cover. ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Single Shiwan Porcelain Jardiniere
Located in San Marino, CA
Large and very fine Shiwan pottery Jardiniere with a very unusual rear inscription.
Oversized Chinese Storage Vessels
Located in Chicago, IL
Raised circular rims with short necks terminate into gently rounded, wide shouldered bodies that taper to the foot. Subtle ribbing at the base of each vase adds texture to the black ...
Ceramic
Set of Ten English Imari Inspired Dishes with Dragon
Located in Katonah, NY
An Imari inspired pattern showing a dragon flying through a flowering garden. Made by Turner, the inventor of ironstone*, the dishes are marked "Turners=Patent" in iron red. *Turne...
Ironstone